Maye Upshaw Ham, born on April 23, 1942 in the County Line Community of Douglass, Texas, was the fifth child of Edward Monet and Leota Upshaw. Her father provided for his family through farming and logging while serving as a leader in their small community. Her mother remained active in the church and community while raising Ham and her thirteen other brothers and sisters. Ham attended the local community school through the eighth grade before graduating from C.L. Simon High School in Cushing, Texas. She attended Prairie View A&M University for two years before moving to California and graduating from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a B.A. in English .She also received an M.A. in English. Maye Upshaw Ham married Hadie Ham, Jr. on December 24, 1961. Together they have three birth daughters, Nelrua, Joi, and Teri, one adopted son, Darren, and three grandchildren. Hadie Ham drove a long haul truck for several years before retiring in 1999. Maye Ham taught English for Compton Unified School District and Nacogdoches Independent School District for more than thirty-two years. Now she serves as an adjunct professor at Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas. As an active member of her community, Ham serves as chair of the African American Heritage Project (AAHP). She is also a member of the County Line Baptist Church where she plays the piano. She and her husband remain in the Douglass area in the Pleasant Hill Community.

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